A Room With A View — Vocabulary
E. M. Forster
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Exemplary sample	Uses	ACT/SAT
	10	top 200
tactthe ability and tendency to say or handle things in such a way that others feel good about them She has the tact of a politician or diplomat.more Show sample from book "How silly of them!" said Lucy, though in her heart she sympathized; "I think that a kind action done tactfully—"†9 more tact → tactfully:in a manner that makes others feel good Show general definition the ability or act of saying or handling things in such a way that others feel good about them
	11	top 2000
abominableexceptionally bad She described the abominable treatment of prisoners.more Show sample from book Now, this was abominably impertinent, and she ought to have been furious.†10 more abominable → abominably:in an exceptionally bad or detestable manner Show general definition exceptionally bad or intensely disliked
	11	top 2000
vulgarvulgar → vulgarity:crudeness (showing of bad taste) Her vulgarity was a turnoff.more Show sample from book You have not, of course, seen the disgraceful illustrations which the gutter Press—This man is a public nuisance; he knows that I am a resident perfectly well, and yet he goes on worrying me to buy his vulgar views.†10 more of bad taste (crude, offensive, or unsophisticated) Show general definition of bad taste -- often crude or offensive or: unsophisticated (or common) -- especially of taste
	4	top 10
illustratemake clear Pictures of flooding help to illustrate the problem of global warming.more Show sample from book Poems had been written to illustrate this point.3 more help make clear Show general definition for illustrate (as in: as illustrated by this example) to help make clear -- typically by example
	8	top 2000
medievalthe Middle Ages (roughly 500–1500 AD) The story takes place during medieval times.more Show sample from book There is much that is immortal in this medieval lady.†7 more relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages Show general definition relating to or belonging to the Middle Ages (the period of European history between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance -- roughly 500–1500 AD) Show editor's word notes Often thought of as a time of instability, superstition, plagues, feudal lords, and knighthood.
	4	top 100
contradictdisagree with Does the sentence contradict the main claim of the essay?more Show sample from book This solitude oppressed her; she was accustomed to have her thoughts confirmed by others or, at all events, contradicted; it was too dreadful not to know whether she was thinking right or wrong.†3 more contradict → contradicted:disagreed Show general definition disagree in various senses, including: to say something is not true -- as in "She contradicted his testimony." to say something else is true when both can't be true -- as in "I don't believe her. She contradicted herself as she told us what happened." to be in conflict with -- as in "Her assertions contradict accepted scientific principles."
	6	top 1000
appallingshockingly terrible or horrible The live in appalling conditions.more Show sample from book Seeing that her thoughts were elsewhere, Cecil bent towards Lucy and said: "To me it seemed perfectly appalling, disastrous, portentous."†5 more Show general definition shockingly terrible or horrible
	6	top 1000
retortquickly reply She wanted to retort that he that he sounded foolish, but she made herself count to ten and thought better of it.more Show sample from book "How?" she retorted.†5 more retort → retorted:quickly replied Show general definition for retort (as in: quick retort) a quick reply to a question or remark -- especially a witty or critical one
	4	top 200
superficialshallow She has only superficial knowledge on the subject.more Show sample from book Yet in their heart of hearts they are--how superficial!3 more shallow (relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating) Show general definition relating to a surface rather than to anything deep or penetrating (often of injuries or thinking)
	4	top 500
attaingain or reach something with effort She was the first woman to attain the rank of general.more Show sample from book After many conquests we shall attain simplicity.†3 more Show general definition to gain or reach something with effort
	4	top 500
lamentlament → lamented:expressed grief about She lamented the loss.more Show sample from book Miss Bartlett, who had intended to lament over the Emersons, was launched by this remark into unexpected thoughts.†3 more express grief or regret Show general definition to express grief or regret
	4	top 500
reveredeeply respect and admire Many fans revere Michael Jordan as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.more Show sample from book For he believed that women revere men for their manliness.3 more Show general definition regard with feelings of deep respect and admiration -- sometimes with a mixture of wonder and awe or fear
	3	top 200
disdainlack of respect She tries to be polite, but she cannot hide her disdain for authority.more Show sample from book She walked about disdainfully, unwilling to be enthusiastic over...2 more disdain → disdainfully:with a lack of respect (as though the circumstances were beneath her) Show general definition to disrespect or reject as unworthy
	3	top 200
malicemalice → malicious:evil; or made with the intent to make others suffer I am not interested in hearing malicious gossip.more Show sample from book Children tried to hang on behind, and the conductor, with no malice, spat in their faces to make them let go.†2 more the desire to hurt others or see them suffer Show general definition the intention or desire to see others suffer
	5	top 500
censurecensure → censured:formally criticized They censured him for bringing dishonor upon the Senate.more Show sample from book I will hear no breath of censure against our dear Queen.4 more criticism Show general definition harsh criticism; or formal criticism from an organization -- such as the U.S. Senate
	3	top 2000
reprovereprove → reproves:criticizes She's the kind of boss who reproves in private and praises in public.more Show sample from book "Lucy, dear—" said Miss Bartlett, gently reproving her cousin's penetration.†2 more reprove → reproving:criticizing or critical Show general definition express disapproval or criticism -- typically in a mild manner & sometimes even in a friendly manner
	3	top 2000
reticentreluctant to speak She was reticent initially, but eventually she opened up.more Show sample from book Eleanor was a reticent woman at heart.2 more reluctant to speak freely or show feelings Show general definition reluctant -- especially to speak freely Show editor's word notes Synonym Comparison (if you're into word choice): Consider using taciturn rather than reticent when the reluctance to speak is a general disposition rather than a short-term situation brought about by particular circumstance.
	3
fiascocomplete failure Their battle plan was a fiasco. They were in retreat after five minutes.more Show sample from book Freddy was at his wittiest, referring to Cecil as the "Fiasco"—family honoured pun on fiance.†2 more a complete failure or humiliating situation Show general definition a complete failure or humiliating situation
	3
interposeinterpose → interposed:inserted She interposed herself between them before someone threw a punch.more Show sample from book "Perhaps as a student of human nature," interposed Miss Lavish, "like myself?"†2 more interpose → interposed:to insert between other elements; OR to interrupt or stop action by others Show general definition to insert between other elements; or to interrupt or stop action by others
	3
peevisheasily annoyed The peevish child refused to eat his vegetables and threw a tantrum at the dinner table.more Show sample from book The ladies' voices grew animated, and—if the sad truth be owned—a little peevish.†2 more annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things Show general definition annoyed or easily annoyed -- especially by unimportant things